Pat Barker's "The Silence of the Girls" is a powerful retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Briseis, a woman whose voice is muted in the original epic. If you loved Madeline Miller's "Circe" or "The Song of Achilles" and are hungry for myth retellings that center the experiences of women, this book will draw you in. It's particularly compelling for readers fascinated by Greek mythology or those looking for a fresh, unflinching look at war, survival, and resilience from a non-traditional point of view. Barker masterfully weaves the overlooked stories of captive women, bringing their pain, strength, and small rebellions to life amid the horrors of ancient conflict. Gritty, raw, and often emotionally intense, this is for readers who appreciate historical fiction that doesn't sugarcoat the cost of war.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers find the frequent switches into Achilles' perspective jarring, especially when the book's premise promises a focus on female voices. The use of modern British slang and anachronistic dialogue can break immersion for those craving authenticity in historical language. If you're sensitive to graphic depictions of violence, sexual assault, and the brutality women faced as war prizes, consider yourself warned - Barker doesn't shy away from grim realities. Fans wanting a pure retelling about women's agency or expecting a full feminist reclamation of the myth may be disappointed, as male-centred plots and power struggles often overshadow the women's stories. Also, readers looking for a lighter or more romantic take will find this book unflinchingly dark.

Intense, thought-provoking, and brutally honest, "The Silence of the Girls" gives long-silenced women of myth a vivid voice - just know it's as harrowing as it is eye-opening.

About:

"The Silence of the Girls" by Pat Barker is a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Briseis, a captured queen turned slave of Achilles. The book delves into the lives of women affected by the war, portraying their struggles, relationships, and resilience amidst the brutalities of ancient Greece. Through Briseis' narration, the story intertwines with the legends of Achilles and provides a deeper insight into the impact of war on both men and women.

Characters:

The characters are depicted with depth, highlighting Briseis's resilience, Achilles's complexity and cruelty, and the shared struggles of other captured women.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is clear and accessible, though it incorporates modern idioms at times, which can jar readers expecting historical authenticity.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot reimagines the Trojan War primarily through Briseis's eyes, emphasizing women's suffering and roles as pawns in the conflicts between male figures.

Setting:

The setting primarily encompasses the Greek army's camp during the Trojan War, illustrating the gritty realities and brutality faced by the women.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady, balancing tense moments with slower, more reflective sections that examine the characters' emotional states.

Swift-footed Achilles. Now there’s an interesting one. More than anything else, more than brilliance, more than greatness, his speed defined him. There’s a story that he once chased the god Apollo all...

Notes:

The Silence of the Girls is a retelling of the Trojan War from Briseis' perspective.

Briseis was captured as a war prize by Achilles after her city, Lyrnessus, was sacked by the Greeks.

The novel highlights the brutal realities of war, particularly for women who become war prizes.

Unlike traditional narratives, the book portrays Achilles not as a hero, but as a brutal character referred to as 'the butcher' by Briseis.

Barker emphasizes that history is often written by the victors, leaving the stories of the defeated, especially women, unheard.

The book explores themes of silence and voice, especially regarding women's experiences in wartime.

The characterization of Achilles is complex; at times, he is shown as sympathetic due to his own traumas, especially related to his mother.

Pat Barker intentionally includes modern language and anachronisms to make the story relatable to contemporary readers.

The author contrasts the tragic fates of men in battle with the often worse fate of surviving women, who are left to endure slavery.

Briseis is portrayed not just as a victim, but as someone struggling for her identity and humanity amidst the chaos of war.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, sexual assault, slavery, and themes related to trauma and war.

From The Publisher:

A Washington Post Notable Book

One of the Best Books of the Year: NPR, The Economist, Financial Times

Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award

Finalist for the Women's Prize for Fiction

Here is the story of the Iliad as we've never heard it before: in the words of Briseis, Trojan queen and captive of Achilles. Given only a few words in Homer's epic and largely erased by history, she is nonetheless a pivotal figure in the Trojan War. In these pages she comes fully to life: wry, watchful, forging connections among her fellow female prisoners even as she is caught between Greece's two most powerful warriors. Her story pulls back the veil on the thousands of women who lived behind the scenes of the Greek army camp-concubines, nurses, prostitutes, the women who lay out the dead-as gods and mortals spar, and as a legendary war hurtles toward its inevitable conclusion. Brilliantly written, filled with moments of terror and beauty, The Silence of the Girls gives voice to an extraordinary woman-and makes an ancient story new again.

September 2018

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317 pages

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1 comment(s)

Pallavi

It Was OK

1 year

****3.0****

Review soon

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About the Author:

Pat Barker is the author of Union Street, Blow Your House Down, Liza's England, The Man Who Wasn't There, the Regeneration trilogy (Regeneration, The Eye in the Door, and The Ghost Road, which won the Booker Prize), Another World, Border Crossing, Double Vision, and the Life Class trilogy (Life…

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The Silence of the Girls

Pat Barker

Book 1 in the series:Women of Troy

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